Mario Kart 8 DLC Bundles Will Include Tracks, Cars and New Characters

Written by Brandon Hofer on August 27, 2014

News: Nintendo had revealed the DLC plans for Mario Kart 8 along with a DLC bundle that will save you money on new cars, tracks and characters.

Nintendo has revealed their DLC plans for Mario Kart 8 and it appears that gamers have a lot more content coming. Two new downloadable content packs will take the world of Mario Kart 8 in directions the franchise has never seen before, while significantly expanding game-play options. The packs, which launch this fall and in spring of 2015, and are available for advance purchase starting Aug. 27 at $7.99 each (or $11.99 for both), deliver a ton of new content, including first-time crossover characters like Link from The Legend of Zelda franchise and both Isabelle and the Villager from the Animal Crossing series.

In addition to these two new downloadable content packs, a previously announced game update goes live Aug. 27 that adds a variety of new features, including three free Mercedes-Benz cars that players can race: the modern Mercedes-Benz GLA, the 300 SL Roadster from the 1950s and the legendary Silver Arrow of the 1930s.

"More than 1 million Wii U owners in the United States alone are already enjoying the fun of Mario Kart 8," said Scott Moffitt, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. "Mario Kart 8 already includes the largest number of characters, karts and options of any Mario Kart game to date, and these amazing expansion packs give players even more choices."

Each pack will contain two new cups, each with four courses, which, in total, increases the number of currently available courses by 50 percent. The DLC packs include classic courses like Wario's Gold Mine from Mario Kart Wii, as well as new courses, some taking place in the worlds of The Legend of Zelda and Animal Crossing. New vehicles will also arrive with each pack, including the Blue Falcon kart representing the F-Zero franchise in the first DLC pack.
Mario Kart 8 owners who purchase both packs starting Aug. 27 will get access to eight new colors of Yoshi and eight new colors of Shy Guy to race with immediately. To purchase the packs in advance, users with a broadband Internet connection can click the new "Shop" icon in the game or visit the Nintendo eShop on Wii U.

The DLC packs are scheduled to include the following:

Pack 1: The Legend of Zelda X Mario Kart 8 - Release Date: November 2014 - $7.99

Three New Characters - Tanooki Mario, Cat Peach, Link

Four New Vehicles

8 New Courses

Pack 2: Animal Crossing X Mario Kart 8 - Release Date: May 2015 - $7.99

Three New Characters - Villager, Isabelle, Dry Bowser

Four New Vehicles

Eight New Courses

Pack 1 & Pack 2 Bundle - $11.99

Six New Characters - Tanooki Mario, Cat Peach, Link, Villager, Isabelle and Dry Bowser

Eight New Vehicles

16 New Courses

Bonus - If you purchase both packs bundled or individually you will receive eight new colors for Yoshi and Shy Guy. Those who purchase both packs in advance can begin using the Yoshi and Shy Guy characters immediately.

What do you think about this new DLC? Will you buy the bundle and save some money? Be sure to check out the trailer below as well that shows off the free update that was released today including Mercedes Benz cars and then let us know what you think below.